Paris Board of Selectmen

Dec. 12, 2016

Paris Town Office

Union formed

What happened: Town Manager Vic Hodgkins told selectmen the town’s per-diem firefighters recently voted to form a union with the Teamsters.

What it means: The vote to form the union took place in November. More than a year ago, town employees began unionizing in the wake of budget cut discussions. The per-diem firefighters join administration, which formed a union in March, and police, who already had a union. The Highway Department voted not to form one.

What’s next: Hodgkins, selectmen and the Budget Committee have to budget for upcoming attorney’s fees. Board of Selectmen Chairwoman Janet Jamison said they’ve been told they can expect $15,000 this year for the expense.

Special town meeting

What happened: Selectmen unanimously accepted the warrant for the special town meeting in January regarding overdrafts and surpluses.

What it means: There are three financial questions. The first is to see if voters will “ratify the use of $168,319 from surplus to cover overdrafts to town accounts for fiscal year ending June 30, 2016,” which was accidentally left off the June town meeting warrant. The other two articles ask to move $35,000 in surplus to contingency and $40,921 from surplus to a reserve. Selectmen voted to move the money in May, but it was never moved because it’s from surplus and that needs voter approval.

What’s next: The Budget Committee will have to meet to give its numeric recommendations for the articles. Voters will weigh in on the matter during the special town meeting set for 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 9, 2017, before the regular selectmen meeting.

Sewer loan

What happened: Hodgkins announced that he started the paperwork for an interim loan to pay through the construction phase of the stormwater separation sewer project.

What it means: The Department of Environmental Protection mandated the town separate 22 catch basins from the sewer system that runs to the Paris Utility District by 2019 or face fines. In October, voters at a special town meeting approved funding for the project of up to $737,000.

What’s next: Once the project is completed and the bills are paid, Hodgkins will begin the paperwork for the long-term loan so the town doesn’t borrow more money than it has to.

License granted

What happened: Selectmen granted a game of chance license for American Veterans Post 777 on East Main Street so it can host Texas hold ’em games.

What it means: There will be monthly Texas hold ’em events from January through June, with the first starting Friday, Jan. 6, 2017.

Committees

What happened: Selectmen officially formed the 1 Paris Hill Committee and appointed members to the Economic Development Committee.

What it means: The 1 Paris Hill Committee is comprised of three Parks and Recreation members and three former members of the now-defunct Paris Revitalization Committee to guide the future use of the recreation space at the vacant Paris Utility District property. This committee will answer directly to selectmen. The five members of the Economic Development Committee include Jim Hakala, John Andrews, Kevin Pouliot, Gary Vaughn and Dennis Creaser. They will help drive economic development in town.

What’s next: The six people on the 1 Paris Hill Committee will have to hand in applications to the Town Office so selectmen can officially appoint them.

Internet

What happened: Hodgkins announced as part of the franchise agreement with Charter Time Warner, the town can receive free internet connections at all municipal locations.

What it means: The company is in the process of hooking up the connections at the police and fire stations. The town will no longer pay $80 a month to Oxford Networks for DSL lines to both buildings.

What’s next: The town will continue to explore phone plan options, including one with Time Warner, in an attempt to save money.

Park policy

What happened: Selectmen unanimously approved the updated guidelines for the Moore Park Use Policy.

What it means: Updates include an increased fee for electricity use and a checklist.

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